Tag Archives: Wellness

Interested in commuting by bicycle? Learn how to be comfortable and safe while riding and commuting, how to ride in groups and how to navigate roadways. Bring your questions — there will be time for discussion.

This Lunch and Learn is presented by Dan Dalquist and Mike Abbott (GLRC), and sponsored by Employee Wellness and WorkLife Connections. Dalquist and Abbott both serve on the City of Houghton Bicycle Committee and are bicycling advocates. It will be held from noon to 1 p.m.Thursday, April 6 in the Memorial Union Conference Room B001.

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that your holiday season was filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Now is the time of year to make some New Year’s resolutions, and actually keep them! Did you know that only eight percent of people successfully fulfill their resolutions in a year? Here are a few tips that could help you become a part of that group.

When making your resolutions, it’s important to remember that it is all about quality, not quantity. Be sure to limit them to things that you really want to accomplish. Resolutions should be things that you really want to do, rather than things you should do. By doing this, you might be more motivated to achieve them. Your resolutions should also be specific. The more detail you put in, the easier it will be to accomplish. Once all of your resolutions are made, it’s time for you to make an action plan. We all know how easy it is to fall behind on resolutions, but if you have a specific plan, it is much easier to keep up with them. For example, a common New Year’s resolution is to exercise more. Instead of saying just that, decide the days and times that you will exercise throughout your week and mark it on your calendar. If you plan your work out times and write it down somewhere that you see often, you can get that constant reminder which will help you keep motivated.There are many things that you can do to keep up with your New Year’s resolutions. If you work hard and stay motivated to achieve your goals, 2017 just might be your best year yet!

It’s hard to keep motivated when you’re busy, especially during the cold, winter months. If you don’t want to spend money on a gym pass, there are things you can do outside that are enjoyable and keep you active. Next time you are sick of sitting inside, try one of these winter activities!

There are many opportunities to try new winter activities in the Houghton area. You could go snowboarding or skiing at Mont Ripley, cross country skiing on the Michigan Tech trails, go snowshoeing, go hiking on some of our local trails, or find one of the free public rinks around the area and go skating. You can even grab some friends and play a game of hockey! These kinds of activities don’t make you feel like you’re working out; instead you will just be having fun. By trying these new activities, you may find a new favorite hobby.

A lot of kids in the winter want to play outside all day long. The cold doesn’t bother them, and they don’t want to go inside to warm up or eat. All they want to do is play, build forts, go sledding, and make snow angels. If you have kids, the next time they are playing outside, go on and join them to play and get your activity in. Although it might be years since you’ve last gone to a sledding hill, I guarantee you will have fun flying down that hill, and you will get quite the workout walking back up!

If none of this appeals to you, a simple walk once or twice a day for about 15-30 minutes is easy to do, and can help relieve stress as well as give you the physical activity you’re looking for. Many people don’t like to walk in the winter because of the cold, but walking in the winter actually gives you more of a workout than in the summer because you must work to keep warmer, and walking in snow can give you some resistance that you won’t get in warmer seasons. Just be sure to watch for slippery spots!

Although it’s hard to stay motivated in the winter, there are many things you can do that don’t feel like exercise, but help you keep active. The most important thing to remember when you are outside in the winter is to make sure to wear layers and dress appropriately for the weather.

WorkLife Connections and Employee Wellness hosted a “Knitting for Wellness” Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, October 5 in Memorial Union Ballroom B3. The Lunch and Learn had a great turnout, with about 31 attendees. The presentation was given by Silke Feltz, a knitting enthusiast and Humanities PhD student.

Silke talked about Knitting at Michigan Tech, StreetKnits (an international knitting charity), how knitting can be beneficial to your mental health, and provided resources for other knitters. Studies have shown that regular knitting and similar

needle work activities produce benefits for knitters, including creating mindfulness, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, helping quit a bad habit, improving cognitive function, and increasing happiness. Silke loved sharing her passion with others, and said that doing the presentation “was like a spa treatment for [her] soul.”

When Silke is taking a break from PhD work, she enjoys walking her dog, spending time outside, doing yoga, and of course, knitting. She explained that even during her busiest days, she takes her knitting with her and will take five minute breaks between grading papers to knit. This helps her to keep calm, relax, and focus on the task at hand.

Silke’s advice to other knitters is to realize that it’s just like any other skill that requires practice and commitment. If you keep practicing, you will eventually be able to knit without even thinking about it. Most importantly, give it a try, commit to it, and don’t get frustrated.

WorkLife Connections and Employee Wellness invite you to join them for a Lunch and Learn, “Knitting for Wellness,” from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 in Memorial Union Ballroom B3.

Did you know knitting has health benefits? Join Silke Feltz, knitting enthusiast and Humanities PhD student, to learn about resources, knitting at Michigan Tech and more. Novice and seasoned knitters are encouraged to attend.

Register at HuskyPAW, members may claim 100 bonus points for attending. Feel free to bring your lunch. Beverages will be provided. Email Shannon Brodeur with questions.

WorkLife Connections and Employee Wellness invite you to join them for an interactive Lunch & Learn with Darlene Basto, North Star Qigong and Tai Chi, from noon to 1 p.m.Tuesday, June 28 in Memorial Union Alumni Lounge A.

Interested in learning about Qigong and Tai Chi? Find out how these ancient Chinese arts can help relieve stress by promoting circulation, balance, and alignment. Wear comfortable clothing for an interactive demonstration.

We used his old blue camper van for a long time after he passed. I remember when my dad took our grandpa in to live with us. With my grandpa’s failing health, my dad flew to Florida to pick him up and bring him to our backwoods place. We gave him a bedroom and had a newer, bigger shower installed. I was pretty young at the time, so I didn’t understand much of what was going on with his health and slower lifestyle. But I remember feeling very concerned as a young child when I noticed such things as drops of blood on his bed blanket. My dad would help him change and bathe, which was no easy task. I am told that I would sit on his lap and have big intellectual conversations with him; I just wish that I could remember those conversations. I do remember however, how Grandpa would have my brother go and fetch his cigars for him, and it makes me smile as I can faintly see the smoke gently rolling off one of his cigars as he sat on our porch.

I am grateful that my siblings and I were able to spend some of my grandpa’s last days with him, because now that is all we have. But, in-home elderly care is no shiny job, and in many ways can be similar to taking care of another child. Many employees do this all-consuming job for a parent in addition to holding their full-time job, yet few feel encouraged by it. Our elderly loved one feels restless because of being cooped up after all their thriving life experiences. Sometimes they are stuck in one of their own time eras, talking for hours on end, day after day about it. Sometimes they are extremely irritable or discontent because of their ailments. More often than not, the daily grind of elderly care leaves an employee wishing they could either get a cruise away from it all, or send their parent away on one.

As you care for your parent or elderly relative, remember that it will not last forever. Remember that one day you will be in their shoes too. Remember that just as you are frustrated, they are frustrated with themselves too. If they are overly cranky, stand up and do not let them get the better of you with their demands. Lay down some rules, so to say, because it’s your house now. Give yourself a break from them now and then too; this is vital. Getting your elderly involved in community groups and activities is good for both them and for you.

It’s really quite beautiful how life goes on through the passing of generations. In many cultures, such as African tribes, stories and values are passed on from the elderly to the younger. So hold on to the stories of your parents, grandparents, and great aunts. Write them down or record them if you can. This is an ancient practice and a valuable one. And last but not least, if there is any enjoyment to be had with your loved one, laugh a little!

In the recent WorkLife Quality survey, many respondents indicated they would be interestested in working with a registered dietitian. I’m pleased to share the following announcement sent out by Michigan Tech’s Employee Wellness:

Benefit Services invites you to participate in a new wellness initiative between Michigan Tech and Aspirus Keweenaw. This is an 8 week program that gives employees access to a registered dietitian. The program includes:

One 60 minute initial individual consultation (in-person)

Two follow up phone calls during weeks 2 and 4

One final consultation during week 8 (in-person)

The program is divided into two groups Nutrition Basics and Nutrition Enhanced.

Nutrition Basics is designed for employees interested in paying more attention to foods they eat or employees that need guidance on where to start.

Nutrition Enhanced is designed for those who have already made changes to their eating habits but need additional support. Employees may choose the plan that best meets their needs. For additional program information, please visit the wellness website.

This is a pilot program for active, benefits eligible employees that will begin onMarch 14, and run through May 9. Space is limited to 15 employees in each group.

You may register for the program here. Enrollment is based on a first-come first-served basis. Enrollment into the program will close at 8 a.m.on Monday, February 29.

Please contact Benefit Services at 7-2517 or email benefits@mtu.edu if you have any questions.